Appeal No. 97-2552 Page 11
Application No. 08/541,658
material comprises a structure with at least a portion of the
structure formed by a crosslinking agent such that upon irradi-
ation of the suture material the crosslinking agent adheres to
the biological material and thereby provides closure at the
anastomotic site. The laser means 83 provides the necessary
light energy in the form of laser radiation to effect
crosslinking of the suture material at the anastomotic site.
Sinofsky '677 teaches (column 2, lines 52-61) that various
"biological glue" materials can be employed as crosslinking
agents in either solid, liquid, gel or powder form to form a bond
to tissue segments and thereby hold them together while natural
healing processes occur. Examples of such crosslinking agents
include collagen, elastin, fibrin, albumin and various other
photoreactive polymeric materials. In addition, Sinofsky '677
(column 3, lines 16-21) uses the terms "anastomosis" and
"anastomotic site" to broadly encompass the joinder of biological
structures, including, for example, incision and wound healing,
repair of blood vessels and other tubular structures, sealing of
fissures, nerve repairs, reconstructive procedures, and the like.
Thomas discloses at column 5, lines 21-23, that light rod 16
of his dental curing light gun could employ a liquid light guide.
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